On Sunday, January 5, 2020, the Armenian Church and Nation throughout the world celebrated the Eve of Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. The evening started by Vespers Service and Reading from prophetic scriptures by Sunday School students. Eve of Nativity Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the Rev. Archpriest Fr. Zareh Zargarian, Vicar of the Armenian Church Diocese of Canada and Parish Priest of Holy Trinity Armenian Church, assisted by the Rev. Fr. Hayari Tanashian, the Deacons and the Church Choir led by Mr. Shahe Altounian.
It was a great honour to have The Rev. Canon Philip Hobson, the Ecumenical Officer for the Anglican Church Diocese of Toronto and The Rev. Canon Harold Nahabedian, Honorary Assistant at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Anglican Church attending the Christmas Eve Liturgy. Following the conclusion of the Liturgy, the faithful took lit candles home symbolizing the divine light and the blessing of the Church. Lighting lamps symbolizes the light of the Bethlehem Star which guided the way of the magi to the baby Christ. After the liturgy, the procession of clergy and faithful gathered in the church lobby, where the tradition of House Blessing took place.
The Christmas Celebration at Holy Trinity Armenian Church took place on Monday, January 6, 2020. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Grace Bishop Abgar Hovakimian, Primate of the Armenian Church Canadian Diocese, assisted by Rev. Archpriest Fr. Zareh Zargarian, Vicar of the Armenian Church Diocese of Canada and Parish Priest of Holy Trinity Armenian Church and Rev. Fr. Hayari Tanashian, Pastor’s Assistant.
The choir’s rendition of the Liturgy, under the baton of Shahe Altounian and organ accompaniment of Sona Artinian, was very uplifting.
During the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Zargarian ascended the altar to the tune of ‘Be Joyful’, carrying the encyclical issued by His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians addressed to Mr. Madat Mamourian in honour of his decades of serving the Holy Trinity Armenian Church and Armenian organizations and publications in Toronto and Montreal. Following the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Hovakimian blessed the water symbolizing the Baptism of Christ. The honour of the symbolic role of “Godfather” was given to Misak Mirzoyan. The blessed water was distributed to the faithful.
